Tornado Safety Tips

When tornadoes strike, they can cause widespread devastation in just moments, leaving little time to react. Being prepared with the right knowledge and safety measures is crucial for protecting yourself and your loved ones. 

In this blog, we’ll explore essential tornado safety tips to help you stay ready and safe before, during, and after these powerful storms. Whether you’re at home, work, or on the road, understanding these precautions can make all the difference when every second counts.

We’ll answer important questions such as:

• How to prepare for a tornado?
• What to do in a tornado?
• What is a tornado safety plan?
• What are tornado-safe rooms?
• What to do during a tornado while in your safe room?

Careful preparation before an actual tornado requires time and effort. Investing in a safe room also improves your chances of survival during these challenging times.

How to Prepare for a Tornado

Develop a detailed plan that considers everyone in your household or workplace. Identify a specific safe location where everyone should gather if a tornado strikes, and establish a system for checking in with each other after the storm.

A safe room is a significant investment. However, considering the security you can get from one shows how crucial it is during the hurricane season. It is equipped with essential features that will keep you and your loved ones out of harm’s way during a violent storm.

Prepare an emergency kit with essentials such as non-perishable food, bottled water, a first-aid kit, a flashlight, a battery-powered radio, extra batteries, and any necessary medications. Regularly check and update these items to ensure they’re in good condition and within expiration dates.

Understanding Tornado Alerts and Warnings

One indispensable tornado safety tip is to familiarize yourself with the different tornado alerts and warnings issued by local authorities. Knowing the difference between a tornado watch and a warning can help you react appropriately.

The American Red Cross describes the difference between these two: a tornado watch means conditions are favorable for a tornado to develop, so stay alert and ready to take action. A tornado warning, however, signals that a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar, requiring immediate shelter.

Months before tornado season, inspect your building or home for areas that could pose safety risks during a tornado. Secure outdoor furniture, vehicles, and loose items to prevent them from becoming projectiles in strong winds. Ensure everyone in the household or office is familiar with the location of the safest room in the building in case a tornado strikes without warning.

What to Do During a Tornado?

The moment you hear the warning, your first reaction should function almost instinctively, meaning you should have performed at least several tornado drills and know where to take shelter.

If a tornado warning is issued or you observe signs of an approaching tornado, seek shelter without delay in a small, windowless interior room on the lowest floor of the building. If you have a designated safe room, go there immediately for maximum protection.

While basements offer a high level of safety, if one isn’t available, seek refuge in an interior hallway or closet. Steer clear of large, open spaces with high ceilings—such as gyms, auditoriums, or cafeterias—as these areas are more prone to structural collapse during a tornado.

Taking Shelter in a Vehicle

While staying in a vehicle during a tornado is far from ideal, understanding how to protect yourself can be critical if no other shelter options are available. If you cannot reach a safer location, knowing how to navigate this situation until you can escape to a more secure structure is important.

If a sturdy building is nearby, try to reach it for shelter before the tornado strikes. However, if that’s not an option, pull over and park. Keep your seatbelt on, duck below the window line, and cover your head with your arms. Avoid sheltering underpasses, as wind speeds can increase in these spaces.

Seeking Safety Outdoors

Unfortunately, people can get caught in these violent storms outdoors away from homes or other shelters. Consider the following safety tips for tornadoes when you’re stuck outdoors.

When caught outdoors with no accessible building or vehicle, find a low-lying area, such as a ditch, and lie flat, covering your head and neck with your arms. While this isn’t a safe option, it can reduce the risk of flying debris injuries.

General Dos and Don’ts

• Do: Stay calm, head to the designated safe room, and protect yourself from debris. Use a blanket or other material to shield yourself as much as possible.
• Don’t: Stand near windows, shelter under overpasses, or try to outrun a tornado in a vehicle. 
• Do: If there is still time, seek out the sturdiest shelter available, protect yourself from debris, and stay informed of the latest weather alerts.
• Don’t: If you do find shelter, avoid standing near windows or doors, go outside to observe the tornado, or rely on vehicles or bridges for shelter.

What to Do in a Tornado Shelter?

Your designated tornado shelter or safe room is your best defense during these powerful storms. It should be fully equipped with critical supplies for survival, along with important documents and necessary medications for every family member.

Below are vital guidelines to ensure safety and preparedness while in your tornado shelter or safe room:

• Stay Informed: Bring a battery-powered or hand-crank NOAA weather radio to keep up with weather updates and know when to leave.
• Secure Door and Vents: To prevent air quality issues, make sure the door is securely closed and any ventilation systems are functioning.
• Have Emergency Supplies Ready: Keep your emergency kit within reach, including water, non-perishable food, first aid supplies, a flashlight, extra batteries, blankets, and any necessary medications.
• Protect Your Head and Neck: To shield against debris, use sturdy furniture or cover yourself with a mattress, cushions, or even helmets.
• Stay Low and Away from Walls: Crouch or sit on the floor, and if possible, position yourself near the center of the shelter, away from walls or doors that may be affected by debris or pressure changes.
• Conserve Battery Power: If using devices for communication or updates, keep them off or in airplane mode when not in use to save battery life. You do not know how long a power outage will last after a tornado.
• Keep Calm and Communicate Quietly: Maintain a calm environment, especially if children or others may be scared. Speak in reassuring tones to calm the noise and avoid panic.
• Limit Movement: Avoid moving around the shelter unless necessary to reduce the risk of accidental injury, especially in a confined space.
• Stay Inside Until It’s Safe: Only leave the shelter or safe room once authorities confirm that the tornado threat has passed, and it’s safe to exit.

Following these tips will help you make the most of your time in a tornado-safe room, increase your safety, and ensure you’re prepared for the aftermath.

Recognizing the Signs: When to Take Shelter

Knowing the signs of a tornado can help you act quickly. Look out for dark greenish skies, large hail, low-lying clouds, or a loud, continuous roar similar to a freight train. If you observe these, seek shelter immediately.

It’s essential to act decisively when a tornado watch or warning is issued or if you notice any of the telltale signs. Practicing these responses with family or team members ensures everyone can act promptly and calmly in an emergency.

Understanding Where to Take Shelter

Several options are available when taking shelter from severe storms like tornadoes. Safe rooms are your best option, but this solution may sometimes be unavailable. Here are some safety tips for tornadoes that will help you decide where to take shelter:

Indoor Safe Room Designations

Designate an interior room or safe space as your tornado shelter and ensure all household or workplace members know this location. The safest places are typically basements, storm cellars, or specially constructed safe rooms to withstand tornado-level winds.

Safe Shelter Choices in Varied Settings

Look for hallways or rooms away from windows and large open spaces in schools, hospitals, or offices. Avoid high-ceiling areas and seek shelter on the lowest possible floor.

Alternative Shelter for Outdoor or Vehicle Situations

A low-lying area outdoors may provide limited protection when no secure building is available. However, this is a last resort and is only recommended when no other options are available.

Why a Reliable Safe Room Matters

While knowing these tornado safety tips is helpful, having a reliable, dedicated shelter can provide additional protection and peace of mind. Lone Star Safe Rooms specializes in custom-built, tornado-resistant safe rooms that adhere to FEMA guidelines, offering secure, durable shelters for homes and businesses. Contact us today to get a quote.